Share Info, Save Names, Get our Newsletter and Access Powerful Tools
Sign Up Now or Click Here to Find Out More

Eric

Pronunciation: EH-rik (key)

Origin of the name Eric:

Derived from the Old Norse Eirìkr, a compounding of the elements ei (ever, always) and ríkr (ruler): hence, “eternal ruler.” Var: Aric, Erick, Erik, Irricc.

From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman. Buy the book

Does Eric sound...

No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
View all ratings

Sibling Names for Eric...

Do you know any real life Erics?
What are their siblings named?

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Eric!

Comments and insights on the name Eric: | Edit
Share what you know!
Personal experiences with the name Eric: | Edit

My boyfriends name is Eric :]

Nicknames for Eric: | Edit

Ric; Rick; Rik, E,
Er (pronounced "Air")

Meanings and history of the name Eric: | Edit

Scandinavian: All powerful ruler. Norse: Eternal ruler. Germanic: Honorable ruler.

Famous real-life people named Eric: | Edit

Eric Clapton, musician
Eric Darius, saxophonist
Erik Estrada, CHiPs actor
Eric Idle of Monty Python
Erik the Red, Viking explorer
Eriq La Salle, TV actor (most recently in ER)
Eric Staal, professional ice hockey player
Eric Hayes, "Table for 12", father of sextuplets
Eric "EJ" Hayes, "Table for 12", sextuplet

Eric in song, story & screen: | Edit

Eric and the Animals, band
Prince Eric, character in "The Little Mermaid"
Eric/Erec character in Chretien de Troyes's "Erec and Enide"
"Eric's Trip", song by Sonic Youth
Eric/Erik van der Woodsen, character in Gossip Girl series
Eric Northman, character in "The Southern Vampire Mysteries" by Charlaine Harris, and in HBO's "True Blood" TV series
Eric Cartman, antihero on South Park.
Eric Taylor, football coach on "Friday Night Lights" TV series

Browse Girls' Names

Browse Boys' Names